A transformation of the former Links Hotel and Bar, Black Ivy is a welcome addition to Bruntsfield. Popular with locals during the week and drawing groups from further afield at the weekend with live music and jazz brunches, the leafy bar makes good use of mixed materials to offer stylish surroundings, while the work space that doubles up as a ping pong table in the evening gives a cheeky wink to hipster culture. The kitchen isn't trying to win any prizes for innovation with fish and chips, burgers and steak pie, but they do these crowd-pleasers well. Two bars service all the current trends; flavoursome cocktails (with clever monikers of course), perfect gin serves with premium tonic and bespoke garnishes and a nice variety of wine and bubbles. Beer aficionados also enjoy a good selection between the fridges and taps, including Innis & Gunn tank serves for maximum freshness.

Reviews & features

Our favourite watering holes that have popped up in the capital

A new bar for a new generation of gastros, winos and craft beer bros seems to open every week. Cask, craft and tank beer is here and has hit the mainstream, but there's more to bars than beer: a new wave of gin, wine, whisky and cocktail bars shows no…